Lesser Goldfinch

American Goldfinch and Lesser Goldfinch both eat seeds at my backyard feeders. They are year round residents here in northern California.

American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) and Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria) are members of the family Fringillidae and the genus Carduelis.

Finches are small, colorful birds with conical bills adapted to seed cracking. They nest in late summer, after most birds have fledged their young. They build finely woven cup nests in trees and shrubs, lining them with thistle and milkweed down. Females usually do the nest building and incubation, while males contribute food to them and their young. Their food preferences are thistle seed, sunflower seed, and sunflower hearts.

Last week a female Lesser Goldfinch collected nesting materials from one of my hanging flower baskets while the male Lesser Goldfinch perched atop a stake nearby. I was able to get photos of the male but the female flitted around too much and I could not get a clear picture.